Coronavirus Victoria: Worrying statistic not seen in five months
Victoria has gone a 17th consecutive day without recording a new coronavirus case however the state recorded its lowest day of testing in nearly five months.
On Monday, the Department of Health and Human Services revealed just 6695 tests have been processed in the previous 24 hours.
It is the lowest daily testing rate since June 22.
It also marked the first time consecutive daily testing numbers had dropped below 10,000 since October 6.
Mr Andrews has repeatedly warned strong levels of testing are vital if the state is to move into a COVID-norm.
The government and health authorities are urging the public to be tested for even mild symptoms so they can pick up cases quickly while DHHS testing chief Jeroen Weimar revealed the state would begin rolling out asymptomatic testing.
Melburnians once again enjoyed another weekend of relative freedom, with the city’s beaches once again busy with revellers, some of whom appeared to ignore social distancing while not wearing masks.
The impressive streak of no known community transmission comes as the state government considers which restrictions can be eased on Sunday.
The fourth step on Premier Daniel Andrews’ roadmap out of lockdown will coincide with the border between NSW and Victoria reopening.
Premier stands firm on masks
Mr Andrews is also standing firm on mask usage, a divisive measure for Victorians, particularly as the nation moves into the hotter months of the year.
"The area we will move first will be when people are out on their own or are well away from others," he told reporters on Sunday.
"It will always be a situation where you carry the mask and if for some unexpected reason you would come into contact with others, you would wear that mask."
The state’s death toll remains at 819.
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